When you can nearly always get a 25 or two in an event, think about the 25s where 24s and 25s will pay. When you are likely to get two 25s or even 24s back to back, then start looking at the 50s where 50s, 49s, and 48s generally pay. The Lewis is nearly a shot in the dark unless you are winning handicap events with regularity so that's a pretty safe place to take a chance your score will produce some cash even if it's not considered a high score. A day of explaining all the possibilities over a Black Butte Porter is really what you need. Me? Heck I've saved way more than I'll ever win by just paying only for birds and hoping for some added money and a lucky day.....breakemall....Bob Dodd

Serious gamblers study odds. They know that the probability of rolling a three with a pair of dice is 1:18. Other just gamble for fun and pick the game they like. The Lewis is the most popular purse and probably the worst for pay off. It is really a high gun purse with a couple of other lucky winners. Others have concluded that the enjoyment they get from gambling is not enough to off set the cost of gambling.

I can go to a shoot and use new AA shells for about the same cost as playing a purse or two. I have a lot of once fired AA hulls.

if you are good enough to have a real shot at wining the tournament, play all the options. if not, and you want to gamble, play the lewis class. over the years, worst thing that can happen to a shooter is getting his first 100 straight. the shooter than believes he's good, and in reality it was a fluke, he just had a good day. at tournaments with large purses, it brings out the sharks, they shoot better than most of us on their worst day. suggest save your money. i know a guy who saves his option money and when he has enough, he purchases another gun, or takes his wife for a nice weekend get away.
steve balistreri

What does the Lewis purse cost? If $5 play it every time. If $10, take into account the number of shooters, or just play it. If $20, hopefully you're at the Grand American. Think of it as part of your entry fee if you can afford to.

At least when you play the Lewis there is still a strong incentive to continue trying after you've dropped a target or two (a 99 could still win 1st, a 97 in singles will likely hit, an 85 in doubles is a likely hit). If you don't play and you miss the first target, you're likely shooting for pride - runnerup doesn't pay much at Podunk Gun Club. Next thing you know, you're counting your possible final score, and from then on it's "look out below!".

Standing around for 3-4 hours waiting for your event is bad enough - dropping the first target out of the house with no Lewis and you start thinking about wiping your gun down back at the car.

The 25s, 50s never pay enough to fool with. If you can run 'em you'll have the privledge of sharing the pot with some one.

1990 Grand American , shot first Sat. and Sun. handicaps , played every dime, got nothing back for 93 @ 88. Went back the last Sat . for Vandalia Handicap . Said to self while standind in pay , i am tired of donating to the pro's , so only played the lewis and 50's . Had the only 100 that day ( 24 yds ) . lewis only payed what was in my yardage group and the two 50's total was $899.00 . played it all and would have gotten $13,600 .Was told by a good shooter if you are capable of breaking a good score play the options that most people play or the ones that have the biggest payout ( lewis and jackpot purses )thats if you don't want to play everything. 1990 Vandalia Handicap Champion Jeff Prigge

I said above that I usually play them all. I need to clarify, I play all the Handicap options. In singles I always play the Lewis and then some depending on crowd. I also play Lewis in Doubles. I am by no means "A Great Shot, and run a 100 every time out". I used to bet football games all the time. I would wager $100-300 a game. I had no control over that game, just a gamble. I got closer to our Lord and Saviour and also closer to the poor house and quit betting football. So it doesn't bother me to play shooting options because I have control over that. At least I am betting on the guy pulling the trigger, and not some Quarterback throwing an interception that I have No Control over! If you want to shoot for trophies that is fine, if you want to shoot for cash that is fine. By all means shoot and have fun.

In handicaps, if you can run 25 and 50s, play the options. That means you are likely 94 and above. If you average 94 at hcp, (over a year) you will have won enough to defray osme of your expenses. But options do help you keep your head in the game. My personal advice is to play them while your scores are on the ascent, and keep a log of how it all turns out for a year and then you will know for sure. Like Jeff laments above when he won the Vandalia, My daughter only played a cluple of options when she broke 98 in the 89 vandalia and only came out with about $200 (as I recall). Had she played it all she would have been right on tht day. When I was on the ascent, I did devray alot of my shooting expenses for those two years. But Pat's logic is sound. A $10 lewis does equal in cost the extra for new shells. Tha's a good one Pat. I like it.

Pat said it best....
The money you win is money put up by all the losers( who were willing to bet they would win...)
Put any "option money" you want to risk in a jar. Bet you'll get to that new shotgun a WHOLE LOT QUICKER than your gambling buddies who "play it all".

Playing the options is pari-mutual betting like at a race track. You're not betting against the house, you're betting that your horse (you) will run in the money. Would be nice if the house (club) would post the odds on each entry though.

An old friend once advised me to total the option expense, put that amount in my pocket & shoot for the fun of it until your capable of winning with consistency. Alot less pressure and you'll develop to a top shelf shooter with a lot less on your mind. Check the board if you must to see what you would have profited if you must AFTER the program. More often then expected you figure would have been in the red.